diff --git a/src/node.cc b/src/node.cc
index 40d3eec4ab..dae39270bb 100644
--- a/src/node.cc
+++ b/src/node.cc
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ static bool use_debug_agent = false;
 static bool debug_wait_connect = false;
 static int debug_port=5858;
 static int max_stack_size = 0;
-static bool using_domains = false;
+bool using_domains = false;
 
 // used by C++ modules as well
 bool no_deprecation = false;
diff --git a/src/node_internals.h b/src/node_internals.h
index cf257ab7aa..fb9e066d0e 100644
--- a/src/node_internals.h
+++ b/src/node_internals.h
@@ -110,6 +110,9 @@ v8::Handle<v8::Value> FromConstructorTemplate(
     v8::Persistent<v8::FunctionTemplate> t,
     const v8::Arguments& args);
 
+// allow for quick domain check
+extern bool using_domains;
+
 } // namespace node
 
 #endif // SRC_NODE_INTERNALS_H_